🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Auricular acupuncture therapy involves needle insertion into the auricle. Based on meridian theory, all twelve main meridians connect directly to the ear. When disease occurs in the body, corresponding reaction points appear on the auricle. Auricular acupuncture treats illness by stimulating these points.
Auricular acupuncture is easy to learn, simple to perform, widely applicable, especially effective for various pains, acute inflammations, and certain chronic conditions.
I. Operational Methods
1. Fix the auricle with the left hand; use a 1 cm or 2 cm filiform needle, sterilized through skin disinfection, to insert vertically. Depth should penetrate the cartilage without piercing the opposite skin—never perforate the auricle. Patients feel sharp pain upon insertion; if no sensation, withdraw and reinsert. Once pain is felt, rotate the needle for several seconds. Most patients feel warmth in the ear; a few report numbness spreading to the face.
2. Leave the needle in place for 15–20 minutes, or longer if needed. Subcutaneous implantation may be used.
3. Remove the needle and press the puncture site with a dry cotton ball to prevent bleeding. Apply 2% iodine to the site afterward to prevent local infection.
4. Except for implanted needles, treatment is usually every other day. One course lasts 7–10 sessions.
II. Indications
1. Joint pain: Select lesion area, adrenal zone.
2. Lower back pain: Select lumbar vertebrae, kidney, bladder.
3. Gastric pain: Select stomach, small intestine, liver, spleen.
4. Sciatica: Select sciatic nerve point.
5. Dysmenorrhea: Select ovary, kidney, endocrine.
6. Toothache: Select maxilla, mandible, mouth.
7. Acute tonsillitis: Select throat, three points on the antihelix.
8. Acute appendicitis: Select large intestine, small intestine, abdomen, rectum.
9. Hypertension: Select adrenal, liver, kidney, subcortex.
10. Neurasthenia: Select heart, kidney, lumbar vertebrae, subcortex.
11. Urticaria: Select lung, subcortex.
III. Contraindications
Pregnant women, individuals with frostbite or inflammation of the auricle, those excessively fatigued or severely debilitated.
IV. Precautions
1. Strictly disinfect the local area and needles. All instruments must undergo autoclaving or boiling sterilization to prevent blood-borne infections.
2. Fasting, fatigue, or weak constitution increases risk of syncope (fainting). Symptoms include dizziness, palpitations, pallor, cold sweats, nausea, or sudden collapse. If syncope occurs, immediately remove needles, lay patient flat, lower head. Mild cases: give warm water. Severe cases (especially unconscious): press Renzhong point; if ineffective, needle Renzhong and Zusanli.
3. For weak or first-time patients, use light to moderate stimulation.